Destination guides > Europe > Italy > Rome (Roma) > Sights, museums & tourist attractions
Rome
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
There are several sightseeing passes that allow you discounted entry to museums and archeological sites throughout Rome. These include the Roma Archeologia Card, which costs €27.50 (€17.50 for EU citizens aged 18-25) and is valid for seven days allowing entry to the Roman National Museum, the Colosseum, the Palatine, the Baths of Caracalla, the Tomb of Cecilia Metella and the Villa of Quintili and the Appia Antica Card, which costs €7.50 (€4.50 for EU citizens aged 18-25) and allows seven days entrance to the Baths of Caracalla, the Tomb of Cecilia Metella and the Villa Quintili.
Baths of Caracalla (Terme di Caracalla)
These Roman baths dates from the 3rd century BC and is a peaceful haven from the hustle bustle of modern-day Rome. The complex once contained a library, shops, gymnasiums and a garden area.
Viale delle Terme di Caracella 52, Roma
Metro Circo Massimo bus 90, 90b, 93, 93b, 118, 160, 671
Admission Appia Antica Card (€7.50) or Archeologia Card (€27.50)
Open Mon 9am-2pm, Tu-Sun 9am-1hr before sunset
Castel Sant'Angelo
This imposing fortress has an interesting history dating from 135AD when Emperor Hadrian begun work on the castle. Much of the structure has been modified over time and it's history has been closely entwined with the Vatican, to which it is connected by an underground passage. Castel Sant'Angelo was featured in the Dan Brown novel, Angels & Demons.
Lungotevere Castello 50, Roma
Metro Lepanto bus 80,87, 280, 492
Website www.castelsantangelo.com
Admission €5
Open Tue-Sun 9am-8pm
Catacombs
There are around 300km of catacombs in Rome holding the bones of thousands of people. Many of the catacombs date from the 4th century BC and the bones of early saints and popes are held in some of them. Like the catacombs in Paris, this is a popular sight - where else can a nun take you on a guided tour through eerie underground passageways stacked with thousands of human bones. The most popular catacombs are San Callisto and San Sebastiano, both located on the old Appian Way.
Catacombs of Domitilla
Via delle Sette Chiese 282, Roma
Website http://domitilla.soverdi.eu/
Admission €5
Open 8.30am-noon & 2.30pm-5pm daily
Catacombs of San Callisto
Via Appia Antica 110, Roma
Bus 118
Tel (06) 5130 1580
Website www.catacombe.roma.it
Admission €8
Open 8.30am-noon & 2.30pm-5pm daily
Catacombes of San Sebastiano
Via Appia Antica 136, Roma
Bus 218
Tel (06) 7850350
Website www.catacombe.roma.it
Admission €8
Open 1 Jan-9 Nov & 11-31 Dec Mon-Sat 8.30am-noon & 2.30pm-5pm
Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo)
Chariot races where held at Circus Maximus from the 4th century BC and in its heyday this ancient stadium could hold as many as 300,000 people. Although all that remains are ruins, it is fascinating to try and imagine how it looked more than two thousand years ago.
Via dei Cerchi & Via del Circo Massimo, Roma
Metro Circo Massimo Bus 11, 15, 27, 90, 94 Tram 13, 30
Colosseum (Colosseo)
One of the most famous and impressive monuments in Rome, this stadium was once the venue where gladiators fought and Christians where fed to the lions. Although much of the Colosseum was destroyed during the Middle Ages and the Rennaissance, what remains is still a remarkable monument to ancient Rome.
Piazza del Colosseo, Roma
Metro Colosseo
Tel (06) 3996 7700
Admission €15.50, €10.50 EU citizens aged 18-25
Open 9am-1hr before sunset daily
Imperial Forum (Fori Imperiali)
During the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, the Imperial Forums where the centre of Roman society and consisted of temples and public squares. Nowadays all that remains are ruins, although it is still a very impressive site. It is difficult to see much of the Imperial Forums but you can see much of the same across the road at the more accessible Roman Forums (Fori Romano).
Via dei Fori Imperiali, Roma
Metro Colosseo bus 11, 27, 81, 85, 87, 186
Admission free
National Etruscan Museum (Museo Nazionale di Villa Guilia)
This museum, housed in a papal place that dates from the 16th-century, displays an excellent collection of artefacts from the Etruscans (who lived in Lazio before the Romans).
Piazzale di Villa Giulia 9, Roma
Metro Plaminio
Tel (06) 3201951
Admission €4
Open Tue-Sun 8.30am-7.30pm
Palatine (Palatino)
The hill overlooking the Roman Forum is home to a number of palaces dating from the 1st century AD.
Via di San Gregorio 30, Rome
Metro Colosseo bus 11, 15, 27, 118, 673
Admission included with entry fee to Colosseum
Open 9am-1hr before sunset daily
Pantheon
Originally built as a temple in 27BC, the Pantheon has been also used as a church and a market. The main feature of what is the best preserved of all the ancient Roman buildings, is the 9 metre circular hole in the dome which casts a beam of light.
Piazza della Rontonda, Rome
Bus 119
Tel (06) 6830 0230
Admission free
Open Mon-Sat 9am-7.45, Sun 9am-6pm
Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps
An incredibly touristy square is known mainly for the Spanish Steps, an elaborate staircase leading up to the Trinità dei Monti church. Basically the steps are a place to hang out with the other tourists although young Italian guys also like to hang out here and try to pick you up.
Metro Spagna bus 199
Piazza Navona
Another touristy square, although it's much nicer than Piazza di Spagna and in many ways a centre piece of the Centro Storico.
Pyramid of Gaius Cestius (Piramide di Ciao Cestio)
This minature pyramid was built in the 1st century BC for a lawyer who was really impressed by the Egyptian pyramids.
Piazza di Porta San Paolo
Metro Piramide train Ostiense tram 13, 30
Roman Forum (Foro Romano)
The Roman Forum was the centrepiece of the Roman Empire with public squares, temples and law courts. Although much of the Forum is in ruins, it is still very interesting and much more accessible than the nearby Imperial Forum.
Largo Romolo e Remo, Via dei Foro Imperiali
Metro Colosseo bus 11, 27, 81, 85, 87, 186
Admission free
Open Jan-Mar 9am-4.30pm daily; Apr-Sep 9am-7pm daily; Oct-Dec 9am-4.30pm
Saint Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro)
Saint Peter's is the most important building in the Catholic world and the pope's local church. The famous church has always been an important site since the 4th century, one thousand years later Pope Julius II took the bold move and tore down the old church, commissioning the architect Bramant to rebuild it as a larger and more imposing structure. Michelangelo also worked on the Basilica and is credited with much of the present design including the dome, which was the largest ever constructed. While you are in the Vatican, use their post office to send your letters and post cards home - not only do they have nice stamps, but because it is independent of the Italian postal system your letters will get home quicker.
Piazza San Pietro, Vatican City
Metro Ottaviano tram 19 bus 46
Tel (06) 6988 1662
Admission free
Open Jan-Mar 9am-6pm daily; Apr-Sep 9am-7pm daily; Oct-Dec 9am-6pm daily; dome open Jan-Mar 8am-5pm daily; Apr-Sep 8am-6pm daily; Oct-Dec 8am-5pm daily
Theatre of Marcellus (Teatro di Marcello)
What is now an upmarket apartment complex, started out as a theatre completed by Augustus in 11BC. It is actually quite an impressive structure combining ancient Roman and Renaissance architecture.
Via del Teatro di Marcello, Roma
Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi)
Incredibly touristy fountain which has been immortalised in film. The OTT Baroque fountain may not be to everyone's taste, but you've got to see it. Legend has it that if you toss a coin in the fountain, you will return to Rome.
Piazza di Trevi, Roma
Metro Barberini
Vatican Museums & the Sistine Chapel
A must see attraction for anyone who is interested in Renaissance art. The Vatican Museums contain one of the world's greatest collections of art from the Renaissance period, but the real attraction is Michelangelo's ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Other museums in the complex include the Egyptian Museum (Museo Greoriano Egizio), Etruscan Museum (Museo Gregoriano-Etrusco), Galleria delle Carte Geografiche and the Raphael Rooms.
Viale Vaticano, Vatican City
Metro Ottaviano tram 19
Tel (06) 69883332
Website www.vatican.va
Admission €15
Open 9am-6pm daily (last entry 4pm)
Villa Borghese
Rome's equivalent of Central Park is a great escape from the fast-paced city outside. The park is also home to a zoo and a number of museums.
Metro Flamino train Piazzale Flamino bus 95, 490, 495 tram 19, 19b, 30, 225
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